The Young journalist prizeIn Association with the Guardian Foundation and The Week Junior

One mother said of the competition, "Thank you for having such an engaging competition - it can be challenging to develop opportunities for young people to have a voice and engage in thought provoking writing."

In 2017 we held an inaugural news writing competition for children aged 8-9, and 10-11 to have their voices heard as the ‘truth detectives’ of their generation. See The Week Junior article here.

The prize: in both age categories, to win a laptop to continue their writing as well as 6 months subscription to The Week Junior for them and a year's subscription for their school.

The challenge: to write a column of up to 500 words on a subject that matters to them, and could make a difference in their community.Use your powers of persuasion, observation and research and think like a journalist. It could be things that inspire them, that make them afraid, that make them look at the world in a different way.

​It can be any topic. We want to get them thinking critically for themselves, so that they can start to identify misinformation, develop a reasoned argument and give voice to their own unique thoughts and opinions.

The winner: will be announced on the UN International Day for Tolerance, 16th November 2017. Entries are due by October 16th 2017, to info@learn2think.org.uk.

REMEMBER:1. Be passionate and opinionated Choose a subject you feel strongly about, and then work on communicating that passion to your readers. 2. Start with what you know You will probably write a stronger piece if you have some expertise in or experience of your subject.3. Choose your topic wiselyExamples could include: What can children do to make real change in their own community? What are you most afraid of and why? What do you think you can learn from the older generations? What does your family do that all families should do? What is tolerance to you, and why is it important? 4. Do your research Remember that while a strong argument is important, so are facts - the WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? HOW? and WHY? Your task is to persuade others, so you need to make the strongest possible case for your opinion – strong enough to persuade your opponents. The best pieces consider the opposite position's best argument, then knock it down with an even better argument. That takes work. 5. Show your work Some of what you write will be your opinion. The internet is awash with rumours, gossip and inaccuracies, which makes credibility all the more important to readers. If you are claiming something as fact or quoting someone else, show us how you found it out. Writing about a government report? Link to it. Quoting the prime minister? Link to the source. Referring to old news stories? Find the link. The more you can show the workings of your research, the better. We look forward to welcoming your entry by e-mailing info@learn2think.org.uk, no later than 16th October 2017.

Terms and Conditions​​We want get them thinking critically, for themselves, so that they can start to identify misinformation, develop a reasoned argument, and give voice to their own unique thoughts and opinions.

We look forward to welcoming your entry at either:info@learn2think.org.uk or;www.learn2think.org.ukEntries must be received no later than 5pm on 16th October 2017.

Judges:Amelia Foster, chief executive, SAPERE'I am thrilled to be a judge for the Learn2Think Young Journalist Prize. Children and young people are bombarded with news, facts and opinions through social media and via the internet. It is crucial therefore that they learn to question, fact-check and above all think about what they read. In an age where the plague of fake news can influence the outcome of elections, this prize supports a new generation of journalists who have the chance to change journalism for the better.'